One of the Winter Harbin Travel Guides: Central Street

1. Highlights of Central Street: Taste Russian-style Western cuisine, Madian'er Ice Pops, and enjoy the romantic night view of European architecture. Starting from the Flood Control Monument on the Songhua River in the north and extending to Jingwei Street in the south, this pedestrian street paved with square stones is lined with numerous European-style buildings in Renaissance, Baroque, and other styles, full of romance. During the Ice and Snow Festival, you can see interesting ice and snow sculptures everywhere on the street, waiting for you to take photos with them. As the most bustling commercial street in Harbin, Central Street's large department stores always attract countless shopping enthusiasts. The famous Huamei Russian Restaurant, Portman Western Restaurant, and other Russian-style Western restaurants, as well as the delicious Madian'er Ice Pops, are reasons why many tourists come here. Additionally, there are Russian handicraft stores, Qiulin Food, and other specialty shops.

Tour Guide: You can admire over 70 European-style and European-style replica buildings on both sides of Central Street, most of which were built in the early 20th century. Among them are many quintessential Western architectural schools, such as Daoli Qiulin Store (Art Nouveau architecture), Education Bookstore (the largest Baroque building in Harbin), Women and Children's Store (Renaissance-style building), Harbin Municipal Education Commission (Classical architecture), and some well-known buildings: Madian'er Hotel, built in 1906, an Art Nouveau building. Its form is simple, expansive, free, and smooth. The building's length occupies an entire block between West Seventh and West Eighth Streets. Huamei Russian Restaurant, founded in 1925, originally named Mars Western Food and Tea House. The first floor is in a modern European garden-style bar style, the second floor in the former Soviet Moscow “Kremlin” style, and the third floor in Russian modernist style.

Special Tips: 1. There are many Russian commodity markets on Central Street, where buying Matryoshka dolls and other handicrafts is relatively expensive and hard to bargain. You might want to check out the Toulong Small Commodity Market east of Saint Sophia Cathedral, where prices are much lower. 2. Even in summer, the wind by the Songhua River is quite cool, especially when strolling on Central Street or walking along the river at night, it's best to bring a long-sleeved jacket. 3. Winter is the peak tourist season in Harbin, especially during the Ice and Snow Festival. The Russian-style Western restaurants on Central Street are extremely busy, and waiting for a table in the evening often takes a long time. 4. There are two post offices in the middle section of Central Street (one at Shangyou Street entrance and one at West Fifth Street entrance), where you can buy a postcard to send back as a souvenir.

Transportation: Take bus routes 2, 12, etc., and get off at the “Flood Control Monument” stop, or take bus routes 53, 132, etc., to the “Central Street” stop, or take buses 1, 2, 131, etc., to the “Daoli Twelve Street” stop.

Nearby Food Recommendations: 1. Oriental Dumpling King – When in the north, how can you not taste dumplings? Oriental Dumpling King has many varieties of dumplings. Personally, I think the various three-fresh dumplings are very good, with great value for money. Because it's very popular, if you go late, you'll need to wait a while. 2. Laochang Spring Pancake – When in Harbin, to taste authentic spring pancakes, Laochang Spring Pancake is the first choice! Laochang is a famous old spring pancake shop in Harbin. The pancakes are very thin and translucent, rolled with various stir-fried dishes. The taste is great, and the price is not expensive. The free porridge offered is also very fragrant. 3. Katyusha Russian Restaurant – Harbin is a meeting point of Russian culture and Chinese culture. Eating is a culture that needs no language in the world, because great food is one family! When you come to Harbin, authentic Russian cuisine is absolutely not to be missed. Especially the Russian-style Western cuisine on Central Street, the taste is authentic and quite good. In addition, there are Laoshanghao, Taifeng Fried Chicken, Hemitang, Youyihuo Traditional Good Food, and other delicacies waiting for you to taste.